winter tourism

Many Northwoods communities are reporting an uptick in visitors this winter.

Boulder Junction room tax receipts were up eight percent for last year’s fourth quarter, which ended in December. Rhinelander room tax receipts were up four percent over that time, and Minocqua's went up two percent.

Rhinelander Chamber Director Dana DeMet says more people seemed to be traveling to the Northwoods this year for the snow quality.

Eagle River’s legendary ice castle has been built once again by the area fire department.

The design is new every year, but the method isn’t: Eagle River deputy fire chief Jim Bonson says the ice harvesting saws and other tools date back more than 80 years.

“We’ve been doing it since 1933 as a community and it just has become a tradition. When we don’t have it, like the last two years due to weather conditions, people get excited when all of a sudden it appears.”